Lea Salonga Becomes the First Filipina on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On September 4, Lea Salonga will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first Filipina to be honored on the boulevard. The honor places her in the Walk of Fame’s Class of 2026, in the Live Theatre/Live Performance category.
The Ceremony
Salonga’s star will be the 2,855th unveiled on the Walk of Fame, with the ceremony set for 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time in front of the Pantages Theatre. Sibley Scoles will host the event, and Ming-Na Wen, Salonga’s Mulan co-star, will speak as a guest.
The Career Behind the Star
In 1989, Salonga originated the role of Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon, a performance that earned her the Olivier Award before the show moved to Broadway. There, she became the first Asian woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Her stage credits since include Éponine, the first time an Asian actress played the role on Broadway, Fantine in the 2006 revival, and Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables: The World Tour Spectacular this past January. She also provided the singing voices for Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. Disney later named her a Legend for that work.
More Honors That Week
On September 6, Salonga receives the Icon Award at the Manila International Film Festival’s Closing Night Gala at The Beverly Hilton, part of a festival running September 3 through 6 in Los Angeles. She also voices the lead antagonist in DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island. The Filipino Times reports a Philippine premiere on September 23, while BroadwayWorld lists September 26 for the film’s release.
What the Star Represents
Filipino heritage stars previously honored on the Walk of Fame include Bruno Mars and Apl.de.Ap. Salonga is the first Filipina, and the first homegrown Filipino artist, to receive one. Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, called Salonga “a true trailblazer” in a statement announcing the honor.
